Cradle-frame for automobile-bodies.



J. LEDWJNKA CRADLE FRAME """"LE BODIES.

APPLECATION FILED WEB. 25, 1913.

Patented Oct. 31, 1916,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. LEDWINKA.

CRADLE FRAME FOR AUTOMOBILE BODIES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25. 1913.

Patented Oct. 31,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- J. LEDWINKA.

CRADLE FRAME FOR AUTOMOBILE BODIES.

APPLICATION FlLED FEB. 25. 1913.

Patented Oct. 31, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 EDWARD G. BU'JDDMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPO- JOSEPHLEDWINKA,

=1. TION 01m! PENNSYLVANIA.

aoase.

.tlldlE FOB AUTOMOBILE-BODIES.

Application filed February 25 1913. Serial No. 730,526.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrn LEDWINKA, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania,have made a certain new and useful Invention in Cradle-Frames forAutomobile-Bodies, of which the following is a'specification.

The object'of the invention is to provide a cradle frame forstrengthening automobile bodies, and particularly at the door openingsthrough automobile body sides.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automobile bodycradle frame of such construction and arrangement as will permit the useof interchangeable doors of standard size.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cradle frame for thepurpose stated, which is composed of a rigid structure arranged tosurround or to form the border for the doorway openings at oppositesides of the automobile body, the frame on one side of the body, or atthe door opening therein, being rigidly connected to the frame on theother side or at the opposite doorway, so as to produce body structuresand doors of uniform size and strength.

Other objects of the invention will a?- pear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the location and relativearrangement of parts,

more fully hereinaften set forth, as shownin'the accompanying drawings,and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:-Figure 1 is a view in sideelevation, of an automobile bodyshowing theapplication thereto of thecradle frame embodying the principles of my inventiomparts of theautomobile body being broken off. Fig. 2, is a broken view in section onthe line 2, 2, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 3,is a broken detail view in section, on the-dine 3, 3, Fig. 2, looking inthe direction of the arrows. Fig. 4 is a broken detail view inelevation, partly in section, showing a portion embodying the principlesof my invention. Fig. 5 is a broken detail view in perspective, partlyin section, showing a portion of the construction of cradle frame andassoeiated parts embodying the principles of my I lug and the of thecradle frame work.

invention. Fig. 6, is a broken detail view in perspective, showlng apart of the bounding door opening frame forming part of the with acradle frame of my IIIVBIllSlOIL' Fig.-

8, is a broken detail view in section of line 8, 8, of Fig. 1, lookingin the direction of the arrows, and showing the door locking bolt inengagement with the stud or lug of the doorway frame. Fig. 9, is abroken detail edge view showing a portion of the door frame with thecushion buffer in place. Fig. 10 is a detail section on the line A, A,Fig. 9, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 11 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 9, showing another portion of the cradle frame borderfor the door opening of the automobile body, and the door bolt engaginglug. Fig. 12 is a brokendetail view in cross section on the line B, B,Fig. 11. looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 13, is a brokendetail view in section, on the line 13, 13, Fig. 1, looking in thedirection of the arrows and showing the engagement of the door guidingdovetail. Fig. 14 is a viewsimilar to Figs. 9 and 11, showing an edgeview of the door. Fig. 15'is a broken, edge view, showing a a portionofthe door opening frame with the dovetail for the dove guiding lug.

The same part is designated by the same reference numeral wherever itoccurs throughout the several views.

In the construction of automobile bodies it is desirable t0 prov1de aframework which is strong, durable and light. It is also important inthe economical manufacture of such vehicles, to provide standardstructures of interchangeable doors and other parts associated in theconstruction of the automobile body. ln-the'accomplishment of theseobjects and purposes. among others, 1 propose to employ a cradle framefor the doorway openings in the sides of the automobile body so as toenable the doors tobe made interchangeable and ,of standard size,whether for use on one side or the other of the body.

In carrying out my invention, I propose to employ a reinforced framework around the dooropening at each side of the body, and to this end Iform a door post, and which surrounds the entire door opening. I alsoPatented Uet. 31, 191%. 4

oorway frame cooperating or finishing of the body of the automobile,

as well as the hinges, lock, lug, rubber or other bumpers, dovetail andother features concerned in the closing, hinging, cushioning andoperation of the doors are applied, all these features being formedintegrally with the cradle frame.

In other words I propose to form an integral cradle structure havingportions at each end thereof to form the bounding or surrounding framework for the door openings in opposite sides of the automobile body,

said cradle frames extending transversely across the automobile body,and the portions thereof which form the door jambs or posts, I proposeto form of sheet steel. and to press or otherwise form the same intoshape to form or to receive the dovetail, the lock bolt, engaging lug,the cushion block and the like, for the doors.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown a structure embodying 'theprinciples of my invention wherein at 2( is designated a portion of thechassis or body frame, or framemember to which the body of theautomobile is designed to be secured in the usual or well known manner.The cradle member structure embodying the principles of my inventioncomprises the door post portions .or frame indicated at 21. This is inthe form of a substantially U-shaped frame or cradle :and is .formedfrom sheet steel which is pressed into channel formation and to thedesired shape and configuration to form a complete border outline forthe door opening in the side ofthe automobilebody including the postsand sill for the door opening. The post border frame 21, on one side ofthe automobile body is integrally connected to that on the other side ofthe vehicle body which forms a border opening for'the door openinginthat side in any suitable or convenientmanner. I have shown anarrangement wherein the two door posts or border portions 21, ofthe'c'radle frame, are connected together by transversely extendingmembers22. These transverse members should preferably be rigid andshould be integrally-connected to the door opening border members 21.The connection may be accomplished in any suitable or convenient manner,and the transverse rigid members 22, may have any suitable or desiredshape or configuration. For lightness, strength and durability, I haveshown these transverse members of the cradle frame as in the form ofchannels formed from sheet metal having flanges v23 which are designedto rest upon and to be welded or othermise.,ally,ee-

cured to'flanges or angle portions 21,.of the member 21. As shown inFig. 2, the corresponding vertical portions of the cradle frames 21 onopposite sides of the body are inclined upwardly and outwardly away fromeach other to conformto the general contour of the body.

From this description it will be seen that I provide a rigid frame workcomposed of door posts, forming a surrounding border frame structureforthe door opening in each side of the automobile body, the door posts orborder opening structures being inte grally connected togethertransversely across the body of the machine, thus making a -very strong,rigid, durable structure, and permitting theme of uniform standardparts, as well as .the use of uniform standard interchangeable doors, inconnection with the door posts. This results in the production of anexceedingly economical structure of automobile body, and this is amongthe desirable objects I secure in carrying out my invention intopractical operation.

In order to form a support for the flooring of the automobile body, Iemploy an angle plate 25, which I integrally secure to the-door openingcradle portion 21, by welding or otherwise, as most clearly indicated inFig. 5. In order to close the opening outside of thechassis all aroundthe body of the auto mobile, I apply an angle plate 26, as indicated inFig. 5, and integrally secure the same by welding or otherwise to theunder surface of the cradle frame portion 21, or to the flange 24thereof as clearly shown.

If desired, and in order to avoid and reduce rattle and noise occurringthrough looseness or otherwise, a member composed of padding, leather,belting or the like, and indicated at 27, may be interposed between thechassis member 20 and angle plate 26. The outer shell or panel of theautomobile body is indicated at 28, and is secured to the cradle frameportion 21, or rather the cradle frame portion 21 is integrally securedto the shell or casin '28, by welding or otherwise, as may be desired.

One of the important advantages attained in the use of a cradle frameembodying the principles of my invention, is the use of uniform standardsize interchangeable doors. A door adapted for use in connection with myinvention is indicated at 30. It is usual -.to equip the edge of thedoor with locking bolts, indicated at 31, and with dovetail guidingprojections or lugs, indicated at 36, for the purpose of drawing thesame tight into its seat when closed. It is also usual to provide rubber-or other form of openmglnd 9.1, when surrounds 1,203,839 tillconstructed as above described enables me to provide the lug or otherengaging device for the lock 31, of the door, and also the cooperatingdovetail socket or seat portion 35, which cooperates with thedovetailing lug 36, on the door and also to provide a seat foraccommodating the rubber buffer 33, in the door jamb. To this end, Isuitably shape the edge of the door post portion or member 21, so as toreceive the locking bolt engaging lug or projection 34, (see Figs. 8 and12) as well as to form the seat 35, to receive the dovetail 36 of thedoor, this seat 35, being shown in Fig. 15, for use in connection withthe dovetail lug or projection 36 on the door,

1 as shown in Figs. 13 and 14. The various parts or members 34, 33 and35, are formed in or carried'by the door jamb, or in'seat thereforformed in said jamb, and the use of sheet steel for the purpose offorming the door jamb enables me to form the seats as above described,or to press the same into suitable shape to form the members or seats asabove indicated, thus enabling me to secure a strong, durable, mosteflicient and uniform standard structure. If desired a wood fillerportion 37 may be employed within the door post section 21, to aflord astilfening backing therefor, as clearly indicated in Figs. 8, 10, 12,and 13, and to aflord means for attaching thereto the inner and outerpanels 38 and 28, respectively of the body.

Having now set forth the objects and nature of my invention, and aconstruction embodying the principles thereof, what if claim as new anduseful, and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is

1. A cradle frame for automobilebodies consisting of end portions andcross connecting portions integrally secured together into a singlerigid unitary structure, the end portions being formed of sheet metaland into substantially U-shape having vertical portions formed intochannel shape to constitute door posts in the sides of the automobilebody. 7 g

2. A cradle frame for automobile bodies consisting of end portions eachformed of sheet metal bent into substantially U-shape to form verticaldoor posts and door sills for the automobile body sides, and having achannel.formation in transverse section, and

a channel shaped cross connecting member bile body sides, and having achannel formation in transverse section, one leg of each U-shapedportion having lugs and seats formed therein, and a channel shaped crossconnecting member having flanges and integrally connected at its ends tothe end portions, to form a single rigid unitary struc-' ture.

4. A cradle frame for automobile bodies consisting of end portions eachformed of sheet metal bent into substantially U-shape to form. verticaldoor posts and a horizontal door sill for the automobile body sides, andhaving a channel formation in transverse section, a flanged floorsupporting member integrally connected to the base of each U-' shapedend portion, and a channel shaped cross connecting member having flangesand integrally connected at its ends to the end portions to form asingle rigid unitary structure.

5. A cradle frame for automobile bodies consisting of end portions eachformed of sheet metal bent into substantially U-shape to form verticaldoor posts and a door Slll for the automobile body sides, and having achannel formation in transverse section, a flanged cover plate restingin the chassis frame of the body and integrally secured to the baseportions of the U-shaped end portions, and a channel shaped crossconnecting member having flanges and integrally connected at its ends tothe end portions to form a single rigid unitary structure.

In testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hand in the presence of thesubscribing witnesses, on this 14th day of February JOSEPH LEDWINKA.Witnesses: S. K. THOMPSON, J. MARMION.

